Ever had your heart ripped open and then stitched back together by a story? That’s exactly Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward did to me. Rhage, cursed, powerful, terrifying, and Mary, scarred, cautious, human, collide in a romance that’s as dangerous as it is tender. Get ready for a love that fights to survive monsters, mortality, and every limit in between.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

What is Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward all about?

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward is about Rhage is a vampire warrior weighed down by a beast inside and dark appetites; Mary Luce is a woman who has lost faith and is battling a life‑threatening illness. When their worlds collide, love may be their only path toward redemption, and eternal sacrifice.

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward Book Review

Butch came around in front, twisting his shirt he’d taken off into a rope. Thanks to all the lifting they’d been doing, the male’s chest and arm muscles were thickening up, and he hadn’t been small to begin with. He couldn’t pull the kind of iron Rhage did, but for a human, the guy was a bulldozer.
“You’re getting into some kind of shape, cop.”
“Aw come on now.” Butch grinned. “Don’t let that shower we took go to your head.”

Oh man…give me a moment, Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward has left me breathless! It broke my heart, fixed it again took me to extreme heights of emotion, damn it, I am just exhausted!

In Dark Lover by J.R. Ward Rhage was the beautiful light hearted warrior that went through women like most people go through meals, you know, three a day. But Rhage has his own curse, the Beast, that rises in him when he gets too riled up and the only way he can keep level is through fighting or sex. But when Mary comes into his life, his Beast in more ansty then usual and the secret longings he has for a shellan of his own rather then a long list of disposable women.

Rhage and Mary are exceptional characters, together they are mesmerizing. Who knew that a womanizing warrior like Rhage could love someone like Mary? They are so different from one another. But unlike most the human race (me included!) she didn’t immediately fall into Rhage’s arms, she was hesistant, which I loved. She is a smart woman who sticks to the truth about life, which is that it only happens once. With her health on the line, Mary takes cautious steps in this book where she learns to trust and love someone else.

Mary and Rhage just may be my favourite couple of the BDB. Their love was believable and real you could feel their connection through the pages. Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward is truly a happily ever after, and it couldn’t have happened to a better couple.

Reading Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward reminded me why I keep coming back to this world. It’s not just the lust and the curses, it’s how love becomes the edge that saves instead of destroys. Rhage’s beast, Mary’s illness, the danger, it all pushes them to make impossible choices. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to believe in saving grace, this is your story. So tell me, did it or did it not break you in all the best ways?

About the Black Dagger Brotherhood series

Lover Eternal is the second novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. It follows Dark Lover and precedes Lover Awakened. The series is set in Caldwell, New York, where vampire warriors guard against threats from the Lessening Society among other dangers.

Read More

• Next book in the series: Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
• Want to know more about the Black Dagger Brotherhood series? Check out the starter guide.
• Find the perfect book for your mood